The population's continued desire to travel led to a significant increase in rental car bookings in November 2025, indicating active use of late autumn for travel and forward-looking holiday planning for the coming year.
A recent market analysis by car rental provider Sunny Cars shows that the number of reservations has significantly exceeded the level of the same month last year. This development confirms the resilience of the travel market and the willingness of consumers to invest in mobility at their holiday destination, even outside the peak travel season.
The analysis identifies Spain as the undisputed leader among destinations for rental car bookings. Spain is followed by Portugal , which is experiencing a remarkable upward trend, and the United States of America (USA) , which is further establishing itself as the third most important destination. The demand for rental vehicles is thus closely linked to the most popular destinations for sunny or long-haul trips in November.
Regional preferences and shifts in travel behavior
Spain's dominance in the car rental market underscores its continued appeal as a travel destination in late autumn. Of the numerous bookings in Spain, approximately eight percent were specifically for the Canary Islands , highlighting the importance of these destinations as reliable sources of warmth. Due to their geographical location and mild climate, the Canary Islands are a particularly popular destination for travelers from Central Europe in November.
Portugal saw a significant upward trend , moving from third to second place among the most popular car rental destinations compared to the same month last year . Demand was particularly strong in the regions around Faro , Lisbon , and on the island of Madeira . This development suggests the country's growing popularity as a year-round travel destination and as an alternative to the traditional Spanish coastal regions.
The USA now ranks third and is steadily gaining importance in the car rental market. The North American market is characterized by longer rental periods and higher average prices, which is attributable to the greater distances and the necessity of rental cars as the primary means of transportation within the country. Italy and Greece occupy fourth and fifth place in the ranking , confirming their role as important European travel destinations that remain in demand even in late autumn.
Price trends and structural influencing factors
After remaining relatively stable during the previous autumn months, rental car prices rose slightly again in November. Customers paid an average of around €444 per booking for an average rental period of eight days. Despite this slight increase compared to the previous month, the current price level is still below that of the previous year: In November 2024, a booking cost an average of around €468. This indicates a relative easing of the rental car market compared to the inflation-driven price peaks of last year.
Thorsten Lehmann, Managing Director of Sunny Cars, explained the slight increase in the average price in November with structural factors: The rising share of US bookings is pushing the overall average upwards, as trips within the United States tend to involve longer rental periods and generate higher costs per transaction. This shifts the statistical composition of the shopping basket and increases the calculated average price across all bookings. The price analysis shows that while the overall market is stable, it is influenced by the shift in preferences towards more expensive and longer long-distance trips.
Early booking mentality meets last-minute demand
The low average temperatures in Central Europe, often around five degrees Celsius, were a clear incentive for many travelers to escape to warmer climes at short notice. This led to strong last-minute demand : around 40 percent of all bookings were for rental periods that fell into November and December at short notice. This high percentage of last-minute bookings demonstrates the flexibility and spontaneous willingness of consumers to travel.
At the same time, the market demonstrates a strong early-booking mentality : 60 percent of customers secured a rental vehicle for the coming year, 2026, as early as November . These bookings are evenly distributed across the months of January to August 2026. This high rate of forward planning indicates consumer confidence in the stability of their travel plans and the attractiveness of the offered rates.
Experts emphasize the financial and logistical advantages of booking early. Early bookers not only benefit from a wider selection of vehicle models and categories , but also generally secure more attractive prices . In a market that can quickly experience capacity bottlenecks and associated price increases during peak season months, early booking serves as a strategic tool for optimizing costs and ensuring the availability of the desired vehicle. This mix of last-minute bookings and proactive planning characterizes the dynamic demand structure of the current car rental market.
Outlook for the 2026 travel season
Late autumn booking data indicates positive expectations for the 2026 travel season. The strong advance booking rate suggests a robust and even distribution of demand throughout the first half of next year.
The continued popularity of classic European destinations, combined with the increasing importance of long-haul destinations like the USA, will significantly influence the offerings of car rental companies in the coming months. Competition for attractive prices and a wide range of vehicles is expected to remain intense in order to meet both spontaneous demand and long-term booking strategies.